More than 47,000 hectares of land have been planted with crops during the 2018/2019 Meher farming season in South Achefer district, Ethiopia. Agriculture officials report that modern cluster farming practices are being deployed to boost maize production and improve grower yields across the Amhara Region.
Farmers in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia have cultivated over 47,000 hectares of land during the current 2018/2019 Meher farming season, according to the district’s Agriculture Office.
Crop Targets and Planting Progress in South Achefer
Located in the North Gojjam Zone, South Achefer district set out to cultivate 47,597 hectares of land with the goal of harvesting 2.6 million quintals of crops during the production season. Data provided in local agricultural updates shows that 47,122 hectares have already been planted with various types of crops, bringing the district close to its initial acreage target.
The district relies significantly on crop production, particularly maize and teff, alongside livestock management. Geographically, South Achefer is bounded by the Agew Awi Zone to the south and west, Semien Achefer to the north, and Mecha to the east, with the Lesser Abay River marking its eastern border. The administrative center sits 60 km from Bahir Dar and 502 km from Addis Ababa.
Cluster Farming Modernization and Crop Management
To elevate productivity, the district is implementing cluster farming models. Agriculture Office head Mr. Abebe Biyazen, speaking during a field visit to maize cluster farms with coordinating officials, emphasized that these scientific agricultural practices are designed to lift maize yields and maximize financial benefits for local growers.
Officials are also urging growers to maintain rigorous field oversight following the initial planting phase. Mr. Abebe further urged farmers not only to complete planting but also to carry out the necessary monitoring and proper crop management to protect their fields from weeds and pests.
“The idea is to bring the fire under control quickly because temperatures are rising and the wind is growing stronger,”
Prefect Alain Bucquet, via France Info
Broader Regional Pressures and Wildfire Threats
While agricultural sectors work to secure seasonal harvests, other regions face severe environmental stress from extreme temperatures. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by water-bomber aircraft and emergency vehicles, were deployed across the affected regions as authorities raced to contain the fires, Reuters reported.
The biggest blaze was burning in the Aude administrative department near the Spanish border, where around 900 hectares were destroyed. Nearly 800 firefighters and 150 vehicles were deployed as high winds hampered firefighting operations, local authorities said. Additional fires broke out near Marseille, where firefighters brought two blazes under control but had not fully extinguished them. Another wildfire near Lancon-Provence spread across about 260 hectares, while a smaller blaze near Rognac, close to Marseille airport, was also being tackled. Authorities said there were no casualties.
Aude Prefect Alain Bucquet said that two more Canadair water-bomber aircraft had been deployed to reinforce firefighting efforts. The World Meteorological Organization warned that the record-breaking heatwave across Western Europe that killed more than 1,300 people had significantly increased the risk of wildfires because of prolonged high temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation. France’s weather office has also warned that another spell of extreme heat could hit the country next week. The Aude region is frequently affected by wildfires and was the site of France’s largest wildfire in decades last year. Further east, more than 2,000 people were evacuated from six campsites near the resort town of Fréjus on Wednesday as another forest fire threatened the area.